Muscat, the capital city of Oman with a population of about 1.5 million, is a large port city in the Gulf of Oman stretching along the Arabian Sea. The road connections between Muscat International Airport, a busy airport, and the city center are quite extensive. These routes, which are linked to both the other cities of Oman and the neighboring cities outside the country, are close to Muscat Airport.

It is recommended for you to have a guide map with you at the taxis or rental cars that you can use to get to the airport from the city center of Muscat.

Because the city has many districts, you must find the roads or the means of public transport leading to Muscat Airport on the internet.

Bus

There are 60 bus stops serving permanently in Muscat. The rapidly growing population of the city and its reputation for tourism has created the need to expand public transport in the city. Sixteen of the forty new buses built under the leadership of the Oman National Transportation Company (ONTC) have replaced old buses on the route of Ruwi-Wadi Kabir.

With the new modernized buses, the new Ruwi-Wadi Adai line was opened. As a result of increasing the number of stops, there has also been an increase in urban public transport usage. New buses connecting to Ruwi and Muscat Airport started service at the end of 2015.

Busses serving between 6 am and 10 pm pass through the Sultan Qaboos motorway to reach the airport, just like any other means of transport.

Taxi

There are few taxis in some places in Muscat, while there are more in some other place. Where there are plenty of taxis, the prices are lower because of the competition.

Muscat city is both the capital and the biggest city of Oman, so you can come across taxis very often. At least if you are familiar with the following information, it will be easier for you to bargain with the taxi drivers: if the distance to your destination is below 2 kilometers the average you would pay is 0.5 riyals, and it is 2.5 riyals if the distance is about 5 kilometers. From Ruwi, one of Muscat's most important settlement centers, it costs around 8 riyals to go to the Muscat Airport by taxi.

There are two varieties of taxis in the city; one is white, and the other is orange. The vast majority of taxi drivers are Omani. Orange taxis are local, while white ones are a bit more upscale, airport taxis. You often find orange taxis in the city. If you are going to the airport from the city center, we suggest you prefer the orange car in terms of being cheaper.

Car Rental

As a foreign visitor, you can use your driver's license for 1 month within the boundaries of Oman. You can rent a car from the offices of car rental companies in the airport or at Muscat city center. Although the daily car rental fee is about 40 riyals, this price may vary depending on the characteristics of the car and whether or not you negotiate a bit.

To reach the airport from any point of the city, you have to enter the Sultan Qaboos motorway. If you are coming from the city center, you can follow the signs of the airport by entering this highway on the west side of the city and continuing from the right lane. Do not forget to rent also a navigation device while renting your car. The car rental option, which offers much cheaper opportunities than the taxi, is also the type of transportation preferred by tourists because oil is cheap in the country.

Airport Information

The name of Muscat International Airport, opened in 1973, was originally Seeb Airport until 2008because it was located in Seeb region. Located 30 kilometers west of Muscat city center, the airport's annual passenger capacity is approximately 6 million. Muscat Airport, Oman's largest airport, is also the primary airport of Oman Airlines.

The airport has airport shuttle buses with a capacity of seven people operated by the airport which are more expensive than public transport. You can visit the official website of Oman Airlines travel agency and contact the company. Oman is a country with high levels of cars in the traffic. Therefore, Muscat Airport has a parking area with a capacity of 396 vehicles.

On the first floor of the airport is the Tourist Information Office. There is a mosque in an area very close to the airport terminal. There is a free Wi-Fi service, a currency exchange office serving 24/7, ATMs, a clinic providing health services that you can find open all the time in the airport. Showering areas, smoking areas, travel agencies, car rental companies, retail stores, playground for children are other platforms can also be found in Muscat Airport.

You can shop at duty-free where the perfume, jewelry and other things are cheaper at the departure terminal of the airport. The airport is home to world famous eating and drinking areas such as Coffe & More, Costa Coffee, Subway, DQ Grill & Chill, The Irish House (Bar), Automatic Restaurant (Gulf region regional cuisine), Curry Kitchen (indian cuisine) and idli.com (South Indian food).

Once you arrive at Penang International Airport, you can reach the city center, which is 16 kilometers away, by buses providing transportation service at reasonable prices as well as you can take advantage of the taxi or car rental options. If you want to take a taxi to reach the city center, make sure that the taximeter is turned on, or you should negotiate with the driver on taxi fare before moving on. Otherwise, taxi drivers may claim higher fares than usual.

The buses that may also offer free wireless internet connection is much more affordable than taxis. If you wish, you can continue your journey with alternative transfer options after arriving at George Town or other areas by bus.

Apart from taxi and bus, you can also take advantage of car rental option as another alternative for transportation from Penang Airport. You can choose from many international car rental companies and pick up your car at the airport. Then you can go on your journey from Penang Airport to the city center following the "city center" signs on the road. Alternatively, you can also rent a motorbike. Please keep in mind that you can leave the motorbike you have rented in the city center without having to return to the airport.

Bus

The bus ride is one of the best and economical alternatives to get to the city center from Penang International Airport. It is possible to reach many places such as Victoria Street in George Town by buses departing every 30 minutes. Buses 401, 401E and 401A heading to Komtar and Jetty also depart from the airport every 30 minutes. If you get on bus 401, you can also reach the bus terminal where you can take a bus to many places in Penang. Bus fare for a single passenger is usually around 3 Malaysian Ringgit. Bus fares are generally standard and do not change depending on vehicles. The bus services at Penang Airport start early in the morning and run until 10 pm. Those who would like to get to the city center from Penang Airport after that time should afford to take a taxi and to pay higher fees. You can get the Rapid Penang Tourist Passport, the weekly bus ticket you can use during the week, by paying 20 Malaysian Ringgit.

Taxi

You need to be especially careful when taking a taxi at Penang International Airport. Some taxi drivers may fool foreign tourists and demand higher fares than usual. You can prefer the airport licensed taxis or offer a pre-determined fare to avoid such a risk. The taxi ride from Penang Airport to the city center approximately costs 40 Malaysian Ringgit. If you are asked for an amount higher than this, you can bargain with the driver for a decent fare or take another taxi.

Motorbike

Renting a motorbike at the airport is also among the affordable transportation alternatives frequently preferred in the area. Motorbike rental fee is around 25 Malaysian Ringgit for 24 hours. You may also be asked to leave a 200-Ringgit deposit when renting a motorbike. Please keep in mind that you can deliver the motorbike you have rented at the airport later at the rental offices located on Penang Road or Chulia Street in the city center.

Ferry

It is possible to travel around Penang Island and between the places like Weld Quay and Butterworth by ferry after arriving at the city center from the airport. With its train station and bus terminal, Butterworth is also an important transfer point for those who want to travel to nearby cities. The ferry fare is around 1.20 Malaysian Ringgit. This is usually the fixed price and it doesn't change depending on the hours and days.

Rent a car

You can rent a car from the most preferred international car rental companies such as Europcar, AVIS, Alamo, Easycar, Dollar, Budget, and Thrifty at Penang International Airport. If you want to rent a car from AVIS, you can book your car on the internet in advance or call +60 04 643 9633 to make a reservation. You can contact Europcar at +60 13 399 8818 for 24-hour assistance and also book your car in advance. Car rental option also offers a great opportunity for visitors who would like to see the natural and historical beauties of Penang. Once you pick up your car at Penang International Airport, you can deliver the car at one of the rental offices in the city, or leave it at the offices in the airport terminal building if you return to the airport. The offices of AVIS and other car rental companies at Penang International Airport usually provide service between 8 am and 9 pm.